Revision Activities

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Teacher Who Talks Less is on Their Way to Success The more a teacher speaks the less attention the learners will pay. Decreasing teacher speaking time can be done with a few practical steps and wonderful teaching methods. It all starts with proper planning. When designing a lesson plan be sure to include assignments and activities that will engage your students and do not call for a teacher dominant role. Table of Contents Classroom activities Eliciting Additional materials Revision methods Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Johnelle M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT....  [Read more]

Wed, 08 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Grammar Shouldn't Be Scary for Both Students and Teachers? The word 'grammar' is often feared by students and teachers alike. It has an image of being difficult to comprehend and hard to teach. However, with planning and a positive approach to the lesson, it can be a fun and interesting way to improve English skills. Also, students can often feel a true sense of accomplishment by being able to use the vocabulary and sentences structures that they have learned. Table of Contents Similar patterns Choice of activities The language level Consistent revision Jokes work best Master your grammar teaching skill with a TEFL course! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Lowdown On Teaching EFL in a Kindergarten According to Jeanne Et Al (2009: 284) teachers are regarded as one of the most important socialization factors in every society in the world. A world without teachers would be a black hole without any fruitful improvements. Kindergarten English teachers are regarded as the backbone of any form of language acquisition as people climb the academic ladder. This is the first stage that children are exposed to a language that is completely foreign to them. Children at this stage are just beginning to become comfortable with one language and introducing a new language, especially one as complex as English, can, therefore, be difficult. Table of Contents Teaching Resources that Kindergarten...  [Read more]

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Parental Help in Children’s ESL Education Children are said to be wet clay that can be molded to give the desired shape. And, this shape can be collaboratively given by the parents and the school. Even though teachers play a great role to teach children, parents can do much more in their children's education. Almost three-quarters of the time of a schooling child spent at home, which means most of the lessons & behavior is adapted by them from their family. Therefore, parents are always said to be the first teacher of a child. Table of Contents Revision Utilize objects Friendly environment Motivation In-touch with the school While teaching the juniors, parents may face some problems or obstacles. Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Coursebook Review There are thousands of English coursebooks nowadays, and one might get confused while trying to choose a coursebook for the students. I have faced this problem as well, trying to choose the coursebook for private classes with a 7-year-old student who has already learned some English before. Table of Contents Oxford Resources and Materials Coursebook Contents Feedback Structure Revision Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elena K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Oxford Resources and Materials As far as I am concerned, Oxford University Press is known to be...  [Read more]

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 Zainab Sadriwala Alumni Experiences Hybrid Classrooms: The Way Towards The Future It's almost been many months since we started the process of transitioning towards online education due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In fact, there has been a complete shift from the traditional way of teaching to a virtual method. The world has come to believe, and more so understand, that virtual classrooms remain the need of today. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: 1. The habit of research 2. Using suitable and relevant technology in the classroom 3. Ensuring better preparation of material 4. Clear instructions for classwork and homework 5. Following rules and discipline 6. Testing methods could be improved 7. Retention of students was considered more Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How To Create, Carry Out and Review Your EFL Lesson A good teacher will bring their own passion, style, and experience in every lesson. Some teachers may have a great deal of teaching experience, while others may be new to the role. The teachers with less teaching experience may find great benefit in putting time and effort into their preparation through Lesson Planning. While more experienced teachers may be able to naturally feel their way through a lesson, perhaps even the syllabus, and frown upon Lesson Planning as being too rigid or structured, for a new teacher I believe it is a necessity to achieving their success. Table of Contents What is the Aim of Lesson Planning? How to Write a Lesson Plan? Lesson Plan Structure Lesson...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 5 Engaging Activities With a Set of Flashcards Flashcards are considered to be an effective means to introduce new vocabulary in the ESL classroom. They are vivid, easy-to-use and they are considered to stimulate active recall method which helps us to retain the vocabulary for long periods. Some teachers consider that flashcards can to be used for young learners only. In my opinion, even adults will benefit from using flashcards. They can help to reduce TTT while introducing new vocabulary, can be used as a revision activity, and when adapted, can even be applied to practice vocabulary in complex grammar structures. Table of Contents 1. Disappearing flashcards 2. The game is called "Darts" 3. Pictionary 4. TPR and flashcards or...  [Read more]

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Self-Analysis and Reflection Can Help a Teacher Improve The CEO of a multi-million-dollar company I worked for once told me, "Change or change will change you." This motto has stuck with me since the day I heard him say it. It's part of the reason why I decided that I want to be a teacher. I know it's going to bring me out of my comfort zone and force me to do things that I otherwise would never do. A teacher can never stop learning; one has to constantly improve. Otherwise, what's the point? Some of the most important ways to ensure that one improves as a teacher are to self-analyze and reflect. It's fine to use these tactics at one's own pace and discretion, but they are of utmost importance. Table of Contents Revision and...  [Read more]

Mon, 20 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Lesson Plan: Teacher's Trajectory of Delivering Knowledge Good planning allows for more effective teaching and learning. The advantages of planning a lesson are having well-organized lessons with a confident teacher. In the unforeseen circumstances that a replacement teacher needs to be called to cover a class, everything is documented and planned so the objectives are clear and the substitute teacher knows how to teach the lesson. Table of Contents Timing Anticipating Activities Analysis Start your TEFL course today! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jemma W. Timing A planned lesson should include the time allowed for the lesson and the time allowed for each...  [Read more]

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences An Overview of the Popular ESA Teaching Methodology "ESA" is a method commonly used in teaching English as a foreign language and stands for Engage, Study, and Activate. ESA is designed to allow movement back and forth between the stages and is popular for its flexibility. The elements - Engage, Study and Activate (ESA) - are necessary for successful language learning in classrooms and they need to be present in most lessons or teaching sequences. Table of Contents The Engage Phase The Study Phase The Activate Phase ESA Lesson Plan Types Straight Arrow Method for ESA Boomerang ESA lesson Patchwork Method for ESA What do you think about the ESA methodology? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post Students always need to be...  [Read more]

Fri, 15 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Beginner English Students in Senegal: Personal Experience with ESL From 2018 to 2019, I taught two eighth grade English classes in the rural Thies area, experiencing some of the challenges and advantages to teaching students who were just embarking on their language study. I was paired with a long-term Senegalese teacher who walked me through the basics of teaching a foreign language: engaging the class, developing study materials, and creating activities. What stood out to me was his emphasis on showing up as a role model for the students, as well as integrating other modes of learning into the classroom, such as art, singing, and dance activities. Table of Contents Main Issues Classroom Environment Classroom Management...  [Read more]

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas TEFL Alumna Shares Her Best Lesson Planning Tricks Lesson planning is an important skill and resource for teachers with benefits for the teacher, the students, and the institution accommodating them. By implementing this technique teachers are equipped with a guide that can instill confidence for themselves, as well as clarity for their students and employers. Table of Contents Benefits Points to Remember Ways to Solve Anticipated Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jason T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Benefits One of the primary and more evident benefits of...  [Read more]

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 5 Amazing ESL Activities With Flashcards Learning English is often a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be boring or something to trudge through. By making English lessons fun and engaging, the students will be more motivated to learn the subject matter. Some ways that the teacher can make learning fun include playing games and turning activities into contests with positive reinforcements like prizes or additional game time. Table of Contents 1. Memory matching. 2. Charades 3. Slap it! 4. Telephone 5. Musical flashcards Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Matthew S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Tips for Teaching Different Types of English Learning Groups There are many types of English learning groups and each group requires different teaching techniques. In my opinion, English learners can be divided into 2 groups: beginners and English learners for specific purposes. Beginners can be students who have no English at all or know a few simple structures. They can be children or adults. English learners for specific purposes are students who have a basic English level and want to achieve their specific aims of learning. Table of Contents Young Beginners Adult Beginners English Learners for Specific Purposes Conversation Learners Business Students Examination Classes Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related...  [Read more]

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 Shirin Sophy Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Top Tips for your ESA Activate Phase Regardless of the ESA type applied in a lesson plan(straight-arrow, boomerang, patchwork, and so forth), the activation phase, when the target language is supposed to be practiced and promoted through various techniques and activities, is usually the last stage of every lesson. A well-designed activation can be an essential characteristic of a fruitful lesson which highly affects learners' level of participation during the lesson and their sense of achievement at the end of the lesson. This phase is naturally divided into some steps to facilitate the activation process, including the controlled, semi-controlled, and free practices that are briefly discussed in this post. Table of...  [Read more]

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Principles of Creating Lesson Plans to Achieve Better Results When I first started as an EFL teacher two years ago, my senior colleagues would often advise me to create a lesson plan well in advance of an upcoming lesson. Having had no formal teaching experience back then, it surprised me because I assumed that simply creating lesson materials for students was sufficient. I did not think that lesson plans were necessary because when I was a student, I had never seen any of my teachers referring to them on the job. It seemed to me that teachers were natural improvisers and could deliver lessons without any referenced document. Table of Contents Over time, I have come to realize that lesson planning is essentially a teacher's...  [Read more]

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Lesson Planning Essentials In my experience and the experience of my teacher colleagues, lesson planning has never been among the most interesting or engaging activities. The reasons are always different: some believe that lesson planning is not effective because a teacher cannot predict the direction of the lesson. Others think that it is a complete waste of time because the process of planning a lesson may seem boring and time-consuming. As a beginner teacher, I had a false belief that lesson planning is not important for an ESL teacher, especially if the group of students has a high level of English. However, after teaching for a longer period, I have realized that only with a certain amount of planning can an ESL lesson be not...  [Read more]

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Should Young Children Learn English? Today studying English is one of the most important and prospective goals of the modern world. The age of students has changed and parents are trying to start their children learning a foreign language as early as possible. Preschool-aged children are the most favorable for this activity. Table of Contents Most important purposes in teaching preschoolers are: Basic principles in teaching English in a kindergarten: Strategies for teaching children in a kindergarten: Phase Engage (5-10 min) Phase Activate (15-20 min) So why should young children learn English? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Teachers Become Important An essential role of the teacher in the classroom is to build a relationship with his or her students to help them learn the subject being taught. There are many ways to set up a situation in which students can and will learn effectively. Table of Contents Teacher's Roles Teaching Skills Lesson Flow Feedback Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Peter O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teacher's Roles A teacher must be a leader, a manager, an administrator, an organizer, a designer, and an assessor. Above all, they must be a motivator to...  [Read more]

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The 2 Best Things I’ve Got From My TEFL Course: Alumni Experience Though I have been an English teacher for a period of seven (7) years in two different countries including my home country, yet I spent hours trying to decide the most appropriate topic for my summative essay, I finally decide to choose "The best thing I've learned from my TEFL/TESOL course" Why? Because I genuinely learned a lot during the course of my study and I will like to share my views, but I will discuss only two major points in this essay. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: 1. Lesson Planning 2. ESA Methodology Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Thu, 23 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Preparing a Plan is Compulsory for New Teachers Lesson planning is one of the most important elements of successful teaching in the ESL (English as Second Language) classroom and every TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language) lesson needs a plan, particularly so in the case of the less experienced teacher starting their career in a foreign country. The often-cited argument that over planning can create a less fluent atmosphere in the classroom does hold some truth but just as the artist is tutored not to attempt abstract art until first mastering the art of realism, the teacher likewise is best placed not to address a class unprepared until first mastering the art of pre-planning. Table of Contents What does your success...  [Read more]

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 Shirin Sophy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Tips for Improving Your Classroom Management Teachers' ability to manage their time, relationships, attitudes, material, students' rapport, and the progress happening in their classroom is referred to as the art of classroom management, which undoubtedly is one of the most significant requirements and features of a successful teacher. All of the decisions a teacher makes in terms of lesson planning, seating arrangement, monitoring, reacting to critical moments, working with other people, and all of the actions based on these decisions eventually lead to lessons that can be fruitful or dull based on the quality of these decisions. In order to manage a successful course, a teacher also needs to have management skills...  [Read more]

Sun, 05 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Lesson Planning: Necessary or Not? This blog post will focus on answering why lesson planning is important. The fundamentals of lesson planning will be discussed while also covering topics such as teacher demeanor, necessary preparation, and flexibility. Table of Contents Necessary or Not? Benefits Preparation Are you ready to teach ESL students? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hannah C. Necessary or Not? Firstly it's important to point out that lesson planning isn't seen as a necessary tool for all teachers yet is largely considered helpful and if done so effectively, ensures the smooth running of a class. This means not having a rigid, unchangeable plan but...  [Read more]

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 Georgia Payne Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences A Day in the Life of an ALT on the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme The unofficial motto of the JET Programme is 'every situation is different (ESID).' This is completely true, and every JET's day looks different depending on whether they work in a public or private school, whether they have co-JETs or are solo, their teaching partner's style, and the school's schedule. I teach in a private junior and senior high school in central Tokyo, where students are aged 12-18. The following is my own experience, but every ALT's (assistant language teacher) experience on the JET Programme is vastly different. Table of Contents Wake up, get ready for school and commute to school 6:30 - 7:50 Home room:...  [Read more]

Thu, 29 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Classes of Mixed Ability The role of a teacher conceals in itself the huge responsibility of shaping the world and making it a better place. A teacher should be able to cultivate a sense of strong positive emotions and self-confidence, should be well aware of the different needs of the students and should be capable of providing an endless number of opportunities for them to learn and grow. Table of Contents Attitude towards mixed-ability classrooms Screening and preliminary analysis: Discussing plans with the students: Working in groups: Working in pairs: Working with the whole class: Level of the task: Homework, Assessment and Error correction: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: ...  [Read more]

Sun, 10 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences The Most Common Problems Students in Mongolia Face When Learning English English language learners at high school and college levels in Mongolia face a variety of structural and cultural difficulties that often prevent them from moving beyond an intermediate or even-low level in spoken and written English. This post will look at a few of the core issues and examine some of the ways to help improve the type of instruction provided in Mongolia that could prove beneficial for future language students. Table of Contents The Issues Facing Students and Teachers Brief History of English Teaching in Mongolia Lack of Creative Thinking and Resources The Problem of Self-Taught English The ESA Method TEFL Curriculum Hope For The Future Are you...  [Read more]

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Several Ways Parents Can Help TEFL Teachers Often times, when one thinks about teaching English as a Second Language (henceforth 'ESL'), the predominant thought is that of, "[w]hat can I as a teacher do to help my students improve?" For the most part, the reflection is introspective, rarely moving out of these bounds. However, one is of the opinion that parents play a large factor in the child's learning of a foreign language. Canvassed below are some of the reasons why one is of this opinion. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Non-English Speaking Community Multilingual Education Activities Discipline Collaborative work Do you want to teach English abroad? You're on the right way. Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles:...  [Read more]

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas A Journey in English Teaching: From Language School to Personalized Success Drawing on my substantial personal teaching experience, I naturally gravitated toward this topic for a summative task. Throughout my six years of teaching English, I have encountered various settings, approaches, and challenges. Here, I recount my journey from a language school to one-on-one tutoring, highlighting my evolving teaching methods, materials, and strategies. Table of Contents From Language School to One-on-One Teaching Embracing One-on-One Tutoring Crafting Engaging Lessons Interactive Learning and Progress Evolving with Proficiency Shaping Language Skills Insights from Teaching Individual Students Tailoring...  [Read more]

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Secret Strategy of Developing Teaching Abilities This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate BUSAYO J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Table of Contents Plan Your Teaching Backward from Authentic Performance Tasks Steps to Take Expect students to self assess their learning and performance and set goals based on assessment results: Positive Results Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Plan Your Teaching Backward from Authentic Performance Tasks Planning our teaching "backward" from desired performances on rich, authentic tasks helps teachers focus...  [Read more]